Which city has the best holiday light displays in 2025?
Austin Tops 2025 List of Best Cities for Holiday Lights
In 2025, Austin, Texas was named the most festive U.S. city for holiday light displays, edging out longtime seasonal favorites like St. Augustine, Florida and Chicago, Illinois. Austin's blend of creative homegrown displays (like the famous 37th Street installations), major public events, and warm winter weather make it a crowd favorite. Meanwhile, St. Augustine's “Nights of Lights†offers historic charm under glowing white canopies, and Chicago brings full-scale spectacle with its Magnificent Mile Lights Festival and ZooLights. From palm trees to snowfall, each city offers a unique holiday vibe — but which one truly shines brightest?
Options
- Austin, TX
- St. Augustine, FL
- Chicago, IL
- New York City, NY
- Leavenworth, WA
- Charleston, SC